Ellison High School has named Trent Gregory as the new athletic coordinator and head football coach.

Gregory was in his third year as offensive line coach at Leander Vandegrift after three years as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Mansfield Timberview. From 1996-2007, Gregory was the head football coach and athletic coordinator at Austin Anderson, where he went 39-64 overall and advanced to the playoffs in 2000, 2002, and 2003, winning the program’s first district (26-4A) championship in 2003.

"This is an exciting day for the Ellison Eagle family," Ellison principal David Dominguez said. "We welcome Coach Gregory, and look forward to his contributions to the story of our proud campus. We are inspired by his enthusiasm and his passion for student success, on and off the field, and we can't wait to get started. Welcome aboard, Coach Gregory."

Other finalists included, Mansfield defensive coordinator Jerry Edwards and White Settlement Brewer head coach Paul Sharr, who were among an applicant list of 14 that came in for initial interviews Monday and Tuesday.

Of those 14 interviewed, three were current head coaches, 10 were coordinators, and then Gregory, who has head coaching experience at Austin Anderson. There were no internal candidates brought in for interviews despite several applying for the opening.

Ninety-one candidates submitted applications for the job before its cut-off date Jan. 7, and KISD conducted first interviews earlier this week.

Gregory received his bachelor's of science in Physical Education and a minor in Health Education from Southwest Texas State. He began his coaching career in 1985 and has been a position coach, assistant coach, offensive coordinator and a head coach.

The job opened Nov. 16 when former Eagles head coach Buddy McBryde resigned effective at the end of his current contract after finishing with a second consecutive winless season.

McBryde guided the Eagles over the last five seasons, compiling a 13-37 record, including the program’s first 20-game winless streak.